West Point Traditions The United States Military Academy at West Point is steeped in traditions, customs, and lore that make it unlike any other college experience in the world. West Point Traditions The United States Military Academy at West Point is steeped in traditions, customs, and lore that make it unlike any other college experience in the world. Breadcrumb about history of west point traditions at west point Registrar (left) MENU Academy Leadership History of West Point Modernization Plan Accreditation & Assessment Privacy Policy Visit the Academy Academic Calendar https://www.youtube.com/embed/otKfyzLWyM0 Traditions are an important part of culture, and they are perhaps more prevalent at our nation’s service academies than other academic institutions. Some United States Military Academy's (USMA) traditions have changed over time, others falling by the wayside or morphing into newer terms and traditions. Some have been around for almost as long as the academy, such as class rings (1835). Academy Traditions Class Motto and Crest Although the first class to have a motto graduated in 1835, not all classes had mottoes until the Class of 1958 (’58 Sure is Great). Currently, a new class will choose their motto during Cadet Basic Training and will reveal it on the last day before marching back to the cadet area in August. The Class Ring and Crest Committee (one representative per company) work on the crest's design during the fall of their plebe year, with the goal to unveil it in March. Explore class mottos 50-Year Affiliation Connection Officially starting on Reception Day (R-Day), the graduating class from 50 years before the new class’s expected graduation will “affiliate” with the new class to mentor, guide, and cheer them on through their cadet experience and beyond. The Affiliation class is invited to major milestones in a cadet class’s time at the academy. Spirit Missions Cadets encounter stress in many areas, and sometimes they think of creative pranks to show their school spirit. This could be manifested in hanging posters where they normally wouldn’t be seen, relocating an exchange midshipman’s belongings during Army-Navy Week, or placing sticky notes all over a car. Unlike moving a cannon 100 years ago or painting buildings, spirit missions should be non-permanent and completed with a risk assessment to practice those skills needed as an Army leader. Class Rings West Point was the first college to introduce the concept of class rings; the first class to receive rings was the Class of 1835. It has been a time-honored tradition since then.At the beginning of the year, fourth-class cadets, known as firsties, receive their class rings during a Ring Weekend ceremony. Following the ceremony, first-class cadets, or plebes, from each company lie in wait to serenade upperclassmen with a funny verse called "The Ring Poop" to celebrate their new rings. A new ring tradition was born when LTC Ron Turner, a West Point graduate, had the idea for the Class Ring Memorial Program. Donated rings from past classes are melted down and added to the gold used to make new class rings. The graduating Class of 2002 was the first to receive rings with gold from the rings of previous graduates. Explore class ring traditions Special Dinners Throughout the year, cadets attend special formal dinners in the Cadet Mess Hall to celebrate national personages and honored members of the Long Gray Line. These include the Thayer Award Dinner, Nininger Award Dinner, Flipper Award Dinner, and Founder’s Day Dinner. Hat Toss At the completion of the graduation ceremony, cadets toss their white caps in the air celebrating the completion of four challenging and rewarding years of growth and development at the US military Academy. Local children often run onto the field to collect a cadet hat as a souvenir. Commissioning and Bar Pinning Following the graduation ceremony, many graduates choose to don their official Army uniform complete with new second lieutenant rank and recite the oath of office. Many new 2LTs choose to give a silver dollar or class coin to the first person to render them a salute after taking their official oath. Academic Traditions Sosh Run Once each semester, cadets enrolled in the Department of Social Sciences’ International Relations course will complete the “Sosh Run” by physically turning in their papers to their instructor. Although most cadets dress up in costumes and stroll in with their “brown bomber” (the brown binder holding their paper), a few cadets will be sprinting in earnest with papers flying to make the deadline. Sedgewick’s Spurs Legend has it that if a cadet is concerned about passing a term end exam (final), they should don full dress uniform under arms, sneak out of the barracks after curfew, and turn the spurs on the Sedgewick Monument at midnight - all without getting caught - to ensure a passing final grade. The Goat Since the late 1800s, cadets who stood academically low in the class were known as “goats,” possibly because an infamous instructor of the last section (cadets were sectioned by grades at the time) had a goatee. At some point in the mid-1900s, the last cadet academically in the class would be named the Goat and classmates all donated $1 to give them a bag of money on Graduation Day along with their diploma. The Wreath and Star Wreath Awards are part of military culture, and at West Point, two of the most difficult awards to earn are the Wreath and the Star Wreath. The Wreath (aka Supt's Award for Achievement) is a gold wreath worn on uniforms to recognize cadets who receive a 3.0 academic GPA, as well as a 3.0 for their military and physical grades. The Star Wreath (aka Supt's Award for Excellence) is reserved for those cadets who receive a 3.67 academic GPA and maintain a 3.0 for their military and physical grades. These cadets wear the same gold wreath, but it has a gold star in the center. Typically, about 5% of a given class receives the Star Wreath. PL100 and PL300 Tabs PL100 (Psychology for Leaders) and PL300 (Military Leadership) are required courses for all cadets. Top performing cadets in both courses are presented "tabs" for achieving academic excellence. The tabs are presented each year in formal ceremonies by senior leaders from the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership. Military Traditions March Back After new cadets finish basic training at Lake Frederick, they march about 12 miles back to West Point's main post. They are in full Army gear with rucksacks. To show their support, members of the Long Gray Line join them as they march. Family, friends, and staff, as well as people who live on post, line the streets to welcome the cadets' return. They make signs and wave flags to cheer them on. It is a big celebration to mark their completion of "Beast Barracks! " Learn more about military training Company Mascots The Corps of Cadets is divided into four regiments (1st-4th), each with three battalions, and each of those battalions has three companies. Each of the 36 cadet companies is assigned a letter (A-I) and a number (1-4). Thus, there are companies A-1, B-2, C-3, etc. Each company has its own mascot and motto. They compete in academics, drill, sports, and even who has the best logo! Most cadets form close friendships with their company mates. They often remain friends for a lifetime! Learn more about company mascots Parades and Reviews There are two parades a year, the Acceptance Day Parade and the Graduation Parade. Throughout the year, cadets will also conduct reviews before home football games, the Thayer Award, Retiree Appreciation Day, and other events on West Point. “Drill” is the name used to rehearse for these reviews and parades, and it ensures cadets have learned the basic soldiering skills of unit movement and discipline. Sandhurst The annual Sandhurst Military Skills Competition usually takes place in the Spring at West Point. The competition has undergone multiple changes since it started in 1967. It now is a two-day competition featuring teams from West Point, Army ROTC units across the U.S., all service academies, and international teams from across the globe. Learn more about Sandhurst Recondo Badge The Recondo award takes its name from the famous Vietnam-era Recondo School. The standards for receiving the coveted Recondo badge have changed over time as cadet summer training adapted, but the basic premise remains the same: Cadets who earn the badge are expected to be physically fit, mentally tough, and of expert tactical proficiency. Athletic Traditions Army-Navy Every year at the end of the regular season for college football, at least one game remains for the nation's service academies: the Army-Navy game. It is one of the most storied and fierce rivalries of all time. At the start of each game, Army cadets and Navy midshipmen assemble on the football field in what is known as the March-On. There is always a spectacular flyover by Navy and Army aviators. The Army Golden Knights parachute team glides from the sky to land on the 50-yard line. The Army-Navy game is steeped in tradition and is one of the most exciting games of the year! Learn more about the Army-Navy game The 12th Man The 12th Man refers to the U.S. Corps of Cadets cheering so loudly for the 11 players on the football field during a game that they give the Army team the advantage of another player. The Army Mule and the Black Knight In 1899, the Navy brought its mascot to the Army-Navy game. It was a smelly goat! In response, an officer decided that the Army team needed a mascot of its own. He stopped an ice truck and borrowed the mule pulling it. The mule was decorated with streamers and a blanket and became the first Army mule. Today, there is a team of Army mules that lives at West Point. The Black Knight first appeared in The Pointer magazine (a cadet magazine from 1923-96) in November 1931, but gained common usage when Will Wedge, a writer with the New York Sun, called the football team “Blaik’s Black Knights” on Dec. 1, 1944, the day before the Army–Navy game. Goat-Engineer Game The annual Goat-Engineer Game dates back over 100 years. The game features two teams formed based on academic ranking, so the bottom half of the class - the Goats - challenge the top half of the class - the Engineers - for bragging rights. Both men and women field teams and compete in highly competitive games of flag football! “Every Cadet an Athlete” For over 200 years, West Point has developed leaders of character to serve in the U.S. Army. Traditionally, this was done through academics and military drilling. Today, every cadet is involved in a sport. You will see them on the playing fields, tennis courts and parachuting! In 1919, when GEN Douglas MacArthur became the superintendent at West Point, he understood that improved physical fitness was important to create better officers. His goal was to make “every cadet an athlete.” Learn more about Athletics at West Point